50,000 Names

There are teddy bears and high school rings And old photographs that mamas bring That daddies with their young boys, playin' ball There's combat boots that he used to wear When he was sent over there There's 50,000 names carved in the wall There's cigarettes and there's cans of beer And notes that say, I miss you dear And children, who don't say anything at all There's purple hearts and packs of gum Fatherless daughters and fatherless sons And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall They come from all across this land In pickup trucks and mini vans Searching for a boy from long ago They scan the wall and find his name The teardrops fall like pouring rain And silently they leave a gift and go There's stars of David and rosary beads And crucifixion figurines And flowers of all colors large and small There's a boy scout badge and a merit pin Little American flags waving in the wind And there's 50,000 names carved in the wall There's 50,000 names carved in the wall